Holy Family centre in South Africa cares for 75 vulnerable children — Daily Maverick
In South Africa’s Limpopo province, the Holy Family Care Centre, located about an hour’s drive from the town of Tzaneen, cares for 75 children who have been left without parental care or are in vulnerable circumstances. According to Daily Maverick, the facility was founded in 2001 as an HIV/AIDS response project.
The centre’s grounds include dormitories, learning facilities, an early childhood development centre and sports fields. The facility is run by the international religious congregation Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Support for children with HIV
The centre’s director, Sister Sally Duigan, who has held the position since 2013, said children often arrive malnourished, ill or traumatised. According to her, they may have experienced neglect, abuse or abandonment, or lost their caregivers.
At the centre, 17 children receive antiretroviral therapy. Duigan said that children with untreated or inadequately controlled HIV infection continue to be admitted to the facility. According to her, some people, due to traditional beliefs, do not take medication themselves and do not allow children to be treated.
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The director also noted that therapy can be difficult for children and described depression as one of the possible side effects of antiretroviral drugs. The centre’s staff try to provide residents with additional support and help them retain hope for the future.
Education and everyday care
Older children attend school in the neighbouring village of Kaale, while children under five take part in an early childhood development programme on the centre’s premises. Residents receive additional classes after school and at weekends.
The facility has a football field, swimming pool, trampoline, and volleyball and tennis courts. Children are also offered knitting classes, board games and creative activities.
Manager Jeanette Lesisa said that most children are referred to the centre by social workers, while funding comes from the Department of Social Development. The initial stay is three months, but many children remain longer because of difficulties in reunifying them with their families.
